Vertigo is a feeling of motion or spinning, and it's commonly referred to as dizziness. People with vertigo feel that the world is spinning around them. It is not a disease or sickness on its own, but a sign or symptom of an underlying problem. Waking up with vertigo is not normal; however, in most cases, it is not a worrisome problem and will go away on its own. Vertigo episodes may persist for a few seconds or only in the morning or recurrent episodes may show through the majority of the day. Let’s discuss about vertigo and various self-care tips that would assist you in managing vertigo.

Symptoms of Vertigo

 

People have described their experience with morning dizziness as feeling one or more of the following:

• Loss of balance that might lead to falls
• Unsteadiness
• Vomiting and nausea
• Sweating and anxiety
• Tingling sensation in the head and feeling lightheadedness
• Problem focusing the eyes: Blurred vision or double vision
• Floating sensation
• Ringing in the ears or hearing loss
• Weakness in the legs

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When Should You Worry About Vertigo?

It would be best to consult your doctor when you have the following characteristics:

·         Recurrent episodes of severe vertigo

·         Associated symptoms of blurred vision, double vision, or loss of vision

·         Severe headache

·         Fainting

·         Chest pain

Common Causes of Vertigo

Causes of vertigo may include:

Ø  Low blood sugar: Being dizzy upon waking up might be an indication of low blood sugar especially before your first meal. If you have diabetes and take insulin or other prescription medications, this might happen frequently.

Ø  Dehydration: Vertigo can result from dehydration (lack of enough water in the body) or lower blood volume as sufficient blood may not reach your brain.

Ø  Inner ear problems: Your inner ear plays an important role in maintaining the balance of your body. Common inner ear problems include:

1)      Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV): It is the most common cause of vertigo caused by the free-floating debris in the inner ear. Vertigo is triggered by certain head movements.

2)      Ear infection like labyrinthitis: This causes irritation and swelling of the inner ear causing intense, constant vertigo.

3)      Inflammation of the vestibular nerve

4)      Excessive fluid buildup in the inner ear

5)      Tumor. 

Ø  Vestibular migraine: It is a migraine associated vertigo when the patient experiences dizziness and imbalance. Unsteadiness, hearing loss, and ringing in the ears are additional symptoms of vestibular migraine.

Ø  Anxiety and stress: Both stress and anxiety can aggravate the symptoms of vertigo. It is one of the most common causes of dizziness that is not caused by the inner ear problems.

Ø  Medications: Certain drugs, such as anticonvulsants, aspirin, certain antibiotics, and alcohol can also trigger vertigo.

 

Six Home Remedies for Vertigo: Self-care is the Best Care

Say goodbye to vertigo with these home remedies:

1)      Home Epley maneuver

Home treatment for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo includes set of exercises known as the Epley maneuver. You can do them as follows:

·         Turn your head towards the side causing vertigo.

·         Quickly lie flat on your back with your head in the same position just off the edge of the bed. You may feel more intense vertigo symptoms at this point.

·         Slowly move your head to the opposite side.

·         Rotate your body so that it is in line with your head. Lie on your side and remain in this position for a few moments.

·         Sit straight up.

Repeat these steps at least three times.

2)      Ginkgo biloba
Ginkgo biloba is a time-tested Chinese herb and its powerful anti-oxidant properties proved effective in resolving the symptoms of vertigo. It is available in the market as supplements in liquid or capsule form. It works by stimulating blood flow to the brain, relieving dizziness and balance issues.

3)      Almonds
Almonds provide a wealth of nutrients, including vitamins A, B, and E, protein, and healthy fatty acids. Almonds promote brain health and function and alleviate vertigo symptoms. Also, vitamin B12 (cobalamin) in almonds helps in maintaining the optimal condition of nerve and blood cells. 

4)      Aromatic essential oils
The ability of essential oils like peppermint, lavender, and lemongrass to relieve vertigo symptoms is astounding. Essential oils have healing benefits when applied topically to the neck, chest, and temples to relieve vertigo symptoms like nausea, headaches, and dizziness. Also, essential oils can be diluted with a carrier oil and inhaled through an infuser.

5)      Ginger
Ginger is a century-old remedy for nausea and motion sickness. It also has a vertigo-reducing effect. A clinical study proved that ginger reduced vertigo significantly better than placebo.

6)      Increase hydration
Some problems can be easily fixed, like increased hydration, which can improve vertigo symptoms. Research shows that two extra litres of water per day for two weeks significantly raised daytime blood pressure and lessened dizziness in healthy people.

 

Conclusion

To sum it up, vertigo is not only an unpleasant symptom but can also be debilitating. It is not a diagnosis, but if recurs, it can be a sign of another ailment. Home remedies for vertigo could be effective in the short term. But it's crucial to identify the source of the problem. If you continue to have frequent vertigo attacks, it is pivotal to make an appointment with your healthcare provider, who can further refer you to an ENT or a neurologist for the correct diagnosis and treatment.

For further assistance on vertigo, connect with our doctors at Ask a Doctor, available 24x7.